Jadwar (Delphinium denudatum Wall.) roots: a boon in Unani medicine

In the Unani medicine, medicinal plant preparations have found widespread use particularly in the case of disease not amenable to treatment by modem methods. Chemical and phytochemical analysis of Delphinium denudatum roots reveals the presence of alkaloids, sterols, fatty acids, sugar, protein, starch etc. A variety of preparations from this source are effective against many diseases, viz., cardiac weakness, palpitation, rheumatism, epilepsy, facial palsy, insanity, mania, migraine, opium addiction, paralysis, snake bite, scorpion sting, toothache etc. However, the understanding of mechanism of pharmacological action of D. denudatum roots can greatly be aided by the isolation of its active principle from the root and determination of the structure-function relationship. Also, the potent curative effect of D. denudatum root extract against human ailments needs to be verified by controlled clinical studies.
(eng)